Out to Ross Back Sands today. Visions of Grebes, Divers & sea duck almost came to naught but Janet thankfully managed to pick up a drake Velvet Scoter which landed on the sea enabling us to rule out White-winged Scoter !   Apparently one photographed on Boxing Day at Musselbrough.  Very little else visible even at high tide other than a few Red-throated Divers and Goldeneye. We moved on to Fenham le Moor where the Pintail flock was grouped together.  Mixed in with Wigeon made counting difficult but at least 50 present. Lunch at Barn at Beal which always gives me an excuse to move on to Beal Pt & Holy Island.  A drake Green-winged Teal was found on teh Rocket pools on Holy island this morning by David Steel but no sign this afternoon. Almost certainly still present as Teal are hunkered down in the grass in the keen S/E wind. However two Black-tailed Godwit were always a pleasant winter sighting as the rocket field near the harbour is one of their only wintering sites. May well be the same birds each winter ! TRD/JD

A bit of a repeat of last week’s route,as a bright,crisp, sunny winter’s day saw me on moors enjoying great views towards the Cheviots. Three Buzzards were on the wing at first light,scanning the ground for prey,with a brief interaction between two of them. A pair of Crossbills flew over , calling and Redpoll and Siskin seen too. Coal Tits sang from nearby woods , as did a Mistle Thrush, ten more fed on a fell ,with a single Fieldfare among them. A female Kestrel scanned the ground from a hedge-top , allowing close approach for photographs. A few Yellowhammers and Skylarks foraged in one weedy area.

Moving on, I drove  to an area I knew holds Hen Harriers, and after a bit of a wait, one ringtail appeared quartering the fell before heading off.

Later arriving at Budle Bay, a Little Egret patroled the shallows and  a Peregrine perched on a large rock . The fields here held many grazing Geese, with over 200 Barnacles among Pink Feet and Grey Lags.

Stag Rocks, and a Great Northern Diver was again seen , 20 Long tailed Duck and a large raft of Common Scoter dived offshore. On the rocks a few Knot with 26 Purple Sandpipers. In fields behind a small flock of Goldfinches foraged ,but no Twite noted.

A favourite walk ,I hadn’t done for some years , was down to the shore at Elwick . The hedgerow here held 50 Yellowhammers, the largest group of the winter for me and 15 -20 Fieldfares and a few Redwings. The adjacent fields to the south flooded in parts, contained a large  mixed flock  of Lapwings and Golden Plover – 1,000 and 1,500 respectively, suddenly erupting into a blur of wings , as a female Merlin shot  through, twisting back but failing to connect at this attempt. The birds settled once more and 65 Curlew joined them on the ground. A pair of Whooper Swans fed nearby. The shoreline here,at high tide, was alive with hundreds of Shelduck, Brent Geese, Wigeon and waders,these including Grey Plover, Bar tailed Godwits, Curlew and Dunlin. A few Eiders and Mergansers noted offshore.

Other birds of note this week, include 3 Snow Buntings at Blyth, the Lesser Whitethroat (probable Blythi ) at Tynemouth and a jaunt across the Tyne for 30 odd Waxwings at Jarrow near the Ped. tunnel entrance.

A S Jack

Birding locally in the Bothal/Pegswood area over the last two days has produced two decent flocks of Tree Sparrows. Yesterday (7th) a flock of 40 in a sunflower/game strip adjacent to Twin trees cottage on the east side of the minor road to Bothal from Pegswood. Today 21 still on a set-aside strip in the field at Whorral Bank on the Pegswood bypass side just north of vets. These are probably the largest flocks I have seen locally since I moved here in the late Nineties. Anyone else seeing good numbers in Northumberland at the moment?

       Out to Druridge Bay today starting at East Chevington.  A lone female Common Scoter was unusual for North Pool , maybe the same individual as recently at Druridge Pools. Walked through to Druridge Bay CP and three Long-tailed Ducks present but no Scaup. Next was Cresswell Pond and a Great Crested Grebe had to be the highlight as scarce normally in January. Offshore from Cresswell Ices was an impressive number of Red-throated Divers. Janet managed to score the most on her scope turn with 41. Had a  look for the three Greenland White-fronted Geese without success at Woodhorn. A welcome surprise though was a Short-eared Owl quartering the Ash lagoon embankment visible from the old windmill. Finally a stop at Bothal Pond revealed little. TRD/JD

             Up to Stag Rocks today looking for the Grey Phalarope without success again. At least I met several other people who had also managed multiple attempts without connecting. Seen yesterday though. A surprise was an adult Little Gull which slowly moved south along the tideline. Few other highlights here with the vast scoter flock of 1000+ a long way out. A feeding Kittiwake flock was unusual with 30-40 present though most some way out. On to Budle Bay and a fine Peregrine perched on a stump out in the bay. Finally Fenham le Moor but very low tide meant few birds close though a few Grey Plover were visible. TRD/JD

Down to Tynemouth to deliver memory sticks to most of the County Records Committee who handily live very close to each other.  Stopped at Blyth South Harbour and found three Snow Bumtings near the pier. On to St Mary’s but no luck with the Siberian Chiffchaff there as too windy.  On to Tynemouth and a stop at Colin Bradshaw’s garden at 9 Tynemouth Place.  A peer over the fence here (permission granted !) drew results with the Lesser Whitethroat coming to the feeder. This bird is thought to be of an eastern race (probably blythi rather than halimodendri). Unfortunately not calling and views of outer tail not easy. Finished at Swallow Pond where excellent views obtained of a Water Rail by the screen. Janet had taken her bridge camera and managed some close-ups. TRD/JD

Short seawatch early morning:

Little Gulls 8 – five flew south (3 adults and two 1st-winters) and 2 adults and a 1st-winter blogging offshore.

Long-tailed Duck 1 south

Gannet 2 south (single adult and juvenile)

Red-throated Diver 3-4 offshore/flew north

Kittiwake 5

Common Scoter 3-4

Woodhorn Flashes

Three adult Greenland White-fronted Geese still in field to west of Church Pool, 22 Gadwall amongst ducks in field.

A combination today of upland moors and coastal shore produced a good selection of species. Starting at the Alnwick moors, 5 Common Buzzards were mainly perched in trees and bushes watching for prey to move, as was a male Kestrel. A turnip field held Yellowhammer, 26 Skylarks and a Grey Partridge ,while 5 Red legged Partridges ran along the road.22 Golden Plover were calling as they flew west and two flocks of Fieldfare had gathered in trees – 140 in total and a single Redwing was with them.

A drive to my next destination below some crags, and a Raven perched above , calling. Then, over 500 Wood Pigeons erupted from a wood as a female Goshawk appeared overhead and stooped through the flock causing panic.

Heading on , I checked out a good looking area with one species in mind, and to my delight not one ,but two ringtail Hen Harriers were found hunting, giving a great show as I ate lunch. A pair of Ravens here too, both flew north, calling. 4 more Kestrels and 3 Buzzards noted too.

To the coast now, and Fenham le Moor, where I arrived as the tide was coming in creating ideal viewing of the thousands of duck,geese and waders present. At least 1,000 Shelduck and 500 Brent Geese fed  out on the flats. 146 Pintail was a good count, as was 58 Grey Plover and many uncounted Bar tailed Godwits,Dunlin,Knot,Redshanks,Curlew, Teal, Wigeon and Mallard. A pair of Shoveler too. A flock of 6 Shags flew north. The only passerines seen here were 3 Meadow Pipits ,a Skylark and a Linnet. At the nearby farm, 27 Collared Doves matched the count here on my last visit.

Down to Budle Bay and a Red breasted Merganser fed among the many Teal and Wigeon. Around  500 Lapwings took to the air , and more Godwits and Grey Plover here too.

At Stag Rocks , no sign of yesterdays Grey Phalaropes ,but a fairly close Great Northern Diver was nice. Probably 30+ Red throateds were spread out,easy to see on the flat,calm sea , as were 20 Long tailed Duck, a single Razorbill among many Guillemots , and a single Slavonian Grebe. Fulmar and Gannet noted too. Purple Sandpipers and Oystercatchers roosted on the rocks.

A.S.Jack

Brief dog walk along Spittal beach on a grey morning. Significant movement of birds offshore, notably Guillemot. Between 10:30 and 10:45 am, in excess of a 400 birds were estimated to pass – the vast majority were flying south but many were swimming on the sea or flying north. By the time I left the beach (11:20 am), the passage had dwindled but was still probably something like 15 per minute. I have no idea how many were passing before 10:30. Also present: Red-throated Diver – 6 birds on sea and 2 flying north; Shag – approximately 30 which were well inshore; Gannet – 20 flying south (8 adults). Also two Kittiwake

TBr (Tom Brewis)

     A quieter day today with a walk at Doddington. One of our favourite areas for getting away from crowds and proved very productive today. Best sighting by far was an inland Little Egret , only our second inland sighting in Northumberland with the other at Caistron. It flew along the river past the new bridge overlooking the marshes. Here were 300 Pinkfeet , normally more present here at one of the few inland localities for the species. Also on the marshes was a fine female Merlin seen twice. Only our second sighting here. Eight Whooper Swans were also unusual. A fine array of other birds included Grey Wagtail, Grey Partridge, Tree Sparrows all in this unspoilt corner.   Yesterday saw us after the Grey Phalarope at Stag Rocks,Bamburgh but with no success, also seen today apparently. A Great Northern Diver was seen flying south. TRD/JD

        A foray up to Seahouses & onwards today. Had a faint hope of a white-winged Gull (or even one with some black spots!) bit no luck. At Seahouses harbour a female Merlin was a surprise low over the rocks. On to Monk’s House with little to report & then Stag Rocks at Bamburgh. A close Red-necked Grebe was well appreciated as only my second of year. Also still here were three Velvet Scoter close in to rocks with one Slavonian Grebe. Further out were at least 400 Common Scoter in two flocks with 20 Long-tailed Duck. Budle Bay was very quiet as was Fenham le Moor though 900 Shelduck & 1200 Pale-bellied Brent were as always an impressive sight. Finished up at Beal Pt which was also quiet. TRD

A look at Prestwick Carr today revealed 4 Buzzards,6 hunting Kestrels and at least 2,000 Fieldfares and 50 Redwings. Willow Tit, 6 Bullfinches and 3 Lesser Redpolls. ( a later report of over 3,000 Fieldfares).

On up to Kirkley Hall ,where another 300 Fieldfares noted and 3 Yellowhammers. More Fieldfare flocks near Belsay , then at Bolam things appeared fairly quiet. 6 Coal Tits and 5 Nuthatches and a single calling  Brambling being the highlights.

At Harwood village, the feeders attracted around 50 Chaffinches and 10 Coal Tits, and at the Wallington feeding station, Marsh Tit, 6 Nuthatches and 3 Red Squirrels fed with numerous Chaffinches  Great and Blue  and Coal Tits . Near Scot’s Gap, a male Peregrine sparred with two calling Buzzards overhead.

Heading home via Killigworth Lake where 14 Gooseanders and 5 Goldeneye bobbed around on the increasingly choppy waters,while 129 Coot grazed the grass banks-a good count.

Yesterday at Cresswell, a huge number of Pink footed Geese grazed the fields to the south and west of the pond and more flew in to roadside grass near the causeway . An estimated 3,500-4,000 in total. In the dune grasses, 4 Stonechats caught flies in the mild air and another pair were seen along at Druridge. At Warkworth Lane, 20 Whooper Swans tolerated close approach, only a single juvenile bird  with this group. A Shelduck here too.

Fields at Woodhorn contained a flock of Greylags and with them the 3 Greenland White-fronted Geese remained.

A S Jack

Sitting in a barber’s chair as he put the finishing touches to my birthday haircut , my phone went with a message I never thought would see. An Ivory Gull on Seahouses golf course! This  town was the site of the last county record way back in 1979 of this mythical ,enigmatic species that inhabits the high Arctic tundra and rarely wanders this far south ,even in winter.  A dash to the car and 50 mins drive, saw me admiring this fabulous bird eating drowned worms on the flooded golf course. It took flight ,flew around a belt of trees ,then back towards the crowd of birders. A strange mewing call was heard and we realised the Ivory was calling to another  flying with it, incredible!  Two Ivorys are unprecedented and doubled everyone’s joy as they flew closely by,then off to the south and over the dunes where they were alighted on rocks towards Beadnell. As I arrived at the beach, they were quite close, but a Grey Heron spooked them and they flew out to more distant rocks where they stayed for over an hour,picking at seaweed,occasionally flying a few metres,or laying flat resting. As the incoming tide began to reach them and dusk fell,the two gleaming white birds took flight and headed off north, one being seen at last light going to roost on the sea near Seahouses. Sadly,they were not around for the folk arriving on Sunday.

Both juv/1st winter birds ,they were different in terms of size and appearance and thought to be probably a male and female bird. I did see one  back in Feb. 1986 at Saltburn ,Cleveland, but these were a county tick for myself and british tick for a great number of the local birders present,and a birthday present I wasn’t expecting!

(An account of the finding and excellent photos can be found on Gary Woodburn’s Beadnell Birding blog site). He has to do the Lottery!

A.S.Jack

Yesterday (3rd) a Red Kite hunting over rough grassland at the west end of Newburn Business Park before flying back south over the River Tyne early afternoon.

Today 40-50 Tree Sparrows on a set-aside strip just north of the new vets at top of Whorral Bank, Morpeth.

A Tilmouth

A brief hour this afternoon at a relatively quiet island, unseasonal highlights included a pair of Shelduck and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. Little Grebe, 19 Goldeneye and a handful of Teal were more typical of the time of year.

Earlier just south of the county at Shibdon Pond a single Ruff was present with a small Lapwing flock.

A Tilmouth

St Marys- on rocks/beach, 300+ Golden Plover,25 Ringed Plover, 17 Purple Sandpipers,78 Sanderling and 49 Oystercatchers. 220 Redshank,3 Knot, 3 Bar tailed Godwits. 8 Rock Pipits. 2 Med Gulls.

Female Peregrine drifted west.  Drake Goldeneye on Wetland. 55 Linnets feeding in fields.

Tynemouth/ N Shields Quay- 3 Purple Sands, 30 Common Scoter, 63 Cormorants, 4 Rock Pipits. Brent Goose on rocks for 3rd week.

Cullercoats- 11 Purple Sands,4 Rock Pipits and Med. Gull in Marden Estate.

Blyth Estuary- 3 Kittiwakes, 3 Gooseander and 5 R. B .Mergansers. 6 Bar tailed Godwits

A.S.J.

At Holywell Pond today there were 3 Goosanders, 5 Wigeon, 25+ Teal, a pair of Gadwall, 2 Greylag Geese, over 15 Moorhens and over forty Mallards.  There was no sign of any Little Grebes or Grey Heron today.  In the wildlife trust hide log book, there were reports of Whooper Swan. To the right of the trust hide there were Magpies, Carrion Crows and Jackdaws  exploring the feeders, with some Blue and Great Tits.

At the feeding station it was great to experience very close views of two Great Spotted Woodpeckers.  Nearby they were Great and Blue Tits and a flock of 25-28 Goldfinches, with at least three Greenfinches amongst them.

In the fields at the back of pond, there were 150-160 Greylags.  Amongst them there were 3 Barnacle Geese.

Paul Buskin

     Out to the Long Nanny again with no sign of the Lesser Grey Shrike at the car park. It was not reported yesterday either. Little of note at the estuary so on to Hauxley and four Scaup present on the reserve , 3 females & an immature male plus two Long-tailed Ducks on the reserve & another offshore.  Best though was a male Velvet Scoter offshore. TRD

      Decided on a walk round Holy Island. Few highlights but a chance to soak up the atmosphere of this peaceful place. Best sighting was a group of 20 Snow Buntings in the field between the Lough & Emmanuel Head.They soon moved off towards the dunes though. Little moving off Emmanuel Head though with a few late juvenile Gannets. A Great Northern Diver was found near the castle and flew overhead North.  Back on the causeway there were seven Long-tailed Ducks by the bridge, a chance to see these at close range. Lunch at Barn at Beal again. They do well out of me when Janet is away. On to Budle Bay with little of note then on to Stag Rocks at Bamburgh.  The immature male Velvet Scoter was again close in feeding in the surf off the rocks just N of the lighthouse. A drake Scaup was feeding in with the 200 Common Scoter and a Great Northern Diver was close in by the lower car park. Only one Slavonian Grebe was unusual as normally more visible here.  Finished at Seahouses looking for a juvenile Iceland Gull reported earlier but with no success. Also today others reported the Lesser Grey Shrike still at the Links House car park at Newton. TRD

        Another all day session starting at Newbiggin with little sea passage apart from steady numbers of Gannets.  A Long-tailed Duck in amonst the Eider near the ‘statues’ was a surprise for here. Otherwise the regular Mediterranean Gulls on the beach with six adults & a first-winter plus a Purple Sandpiper. On to Snab Pt with little also moving. Cresswell Pond saw the juvenile Black-necked Grebe still present plus a juvenile Scaup. Also little off Druridge and absolutely zero on the pools. Lunch beckoned again and a Sunday roast for £5.50 at Widdrington seemed a definite bargain.  Fortified, I covered East Chevington in the afternoon with the highlight of the day being a  Pomarine Skua steadily moving North though some way out offshore from the N end of East Chevington. Also here an immature male Velvet Scoter which was flying N then decided to pitch down amongst a group of 30 Common Scoter. On to Druridge Bay CP and three Long-tailed Ducks on Ladyburn lake. TRD

A dawn to dusk day starting at Newton where the Lesser Grey Shrike is still fit & well & showing to all comers by the Links House car park south of the Long Nanny estuary. It seems to put up with over enthusiastic photographers very well. These pics were unfortunately early morning before the light got better & with no other people it performed well on posts around the car park. A walk up to Newton Pt gave me a late Great Skua past with still a steady procession of Gannets. On to Seahouses & Monk’s House with little to report. Stag Rocks at Bamburgh can always be relied upon & a fine immature male Velvet Scoter fairly close in was the undoubted highlight. At least 20 Long-tailed Ducks 100 Common Scoter & 1 Slavonian Grebe there plus a few Purple Sandpipers. Budle Bay was quiet & lunch beckoned at the Barn at Beal as Janet is in Ethiopia on a birding trip. Hence a fine meal as opposed to my forlorn concoctions. Another wander at the Holy Island causeway revealed little & ended the day at Fenham le Moor where a fine female Merlin performed well on posts. Pintail numbers seemed low with only 20 seen & the Pale-bellied Brent Geese were distant towards the causeway.

TRD

Up to High Newton this morning where the very obliging Lesser Grey Shrike showed very well in  good light . It perched in trees and on farm furniture ,dropping on to insect prey and occasionally picking mealworms from a kindly provided tray.The second Lesser Grey at this site  and particularly unusual in winter. It , at times flew off into the nearby gardens , always returning to the same area.

On the calm sea of Beadnell Bay, 2 Great Northern Divers could be seen among the rafts of Common Scoter and Wigeon together with 75 Eiders and several Red throated Divers and Shags. A single male Snow bunting flew south and a Stonechat noted.

Up to Stag Rocks,where good numbers ,again of sea-duck and Grebes were seen. 4 Red necked Grebes,6 Slavonian,2 Great northern Divers, 20 Long tailed Duck, 6 Velvet Scoter among the 400 -500 Common Scoter in 8 or 9 flocks. 8 Red breasted Mergansers,  a single Gooseander and 30+ Red throated Divers and a similar number of Shags. On the rocks ,roosted 80 Purple sandpipers and 76 Oystercatchers and a Stonechat here too.Budle Bay and a Little Egret noted , 8 Whooper Swans and 250 Barnacle Geese.

AS Jack

St Marys again this morning and the Scaup was again present and 2 Jack Snipe were seen on the wetland. 3 Stonechats again and 2 Goldcrests.Singles of Purple Sandpiper and Knot noted among the waders.  Up to Seaton Sluice where around 1,000 Golden Plover had gathered in a field.

At Cresswell another Stonechat noted. 12 Tree Sparrows near the hide and on the pond a Black necked Grebe,21 Teal and a Scaup present. At least 2,500 Pink Footed Geese took to the air with c’ 1,000 Gulls to the west as it seemed a raptor must have gone through.

Druridge, and  3 Stonechats here, a flock of 65 Linnets . On the calm sea I counted 23 Red throated Divers and 45 Common Scoter and 7 R.B.Mergansers.

3 Whoopers in a field at Warkworth Lane.

AS Jack

This morning at St Marys, I was engrossed in photographing waders on the beach,including Bar tailed Godwits, when a familiar call alerted me to 3 incoming Snow Buntings. A male and 2 females  circled before landing on rocks at the water’s edge. They would not , however allow close approach and flew once more,circling and calling. An hour or so later, I saw 2 of them at the main car park. A good selection of waders present,with around 300 Golden Plover,100 Sanderling,3 Bar tails,41 Ringed Plover and a Purple Sandpiper. Turnstones ,Redshanks,Curlews and Lapwings too.

In the bushes of the wetland area ,a Meally Redpoll was disturbed from feeding and took flight ,calling. A pair of Stonechats were flycatching from a fence and a 3rd ,a juvenile was along at the mini-golf course. 20 or so Skylarks ,and a handful of Meadow Pipits in the fields and 15 Rock Pipits counted along the beaches.

In off the sea, flew a Short eared Owl , followed later by a Common Buzzard and the juv. Scaup,which feeds by day on the sea,came in again to roost on the wetland. A Water Rail was seen to fly across the wetland and run into cover on landing. A juv. Med. Gull was also on the wetland and an adult at the Briar Dene car park.

A.S.Jack.

Out to Stag Rocks at Bamburgh today in search of the adult Bonaparte’s Gull found yesterday. No luck at first and moved on to Monk’s House where 13 Snow Buntings showed well on the beach plus 12 Whooper Swans moving South.  Then a call from Ian & Keith Davison to advise us that the Bonaparte’s Gull was showing at Budle Pt. So a long walk from Stag Rocks north & met up with Ian & Keith and superb views of the Bonaparte’s at close range just offshore feeding with a few Black-headed Gulls. It later moved back to Stag Rocks where it was showing well off the lower car parking area. Well satisfied so on to Budle Bay where an adult Mediterranean Gull was picked out. Onwards to Fenham le Moor and caught the dropping tide well so plenty close in. The Pale-bellied Brents showed well and a Black-tailed Godwit past was a surprise. On leaving we had a flypast from a female Merlin.  Thinking this was it for the day a final plus was a male Hen Harrier on the way home. Sadly its location will have to remain confidential as this magnificent bird of prey is still persecuted by a sad minority. TRD/JD